I received your kind letter on Tuesday following your took the stage
Wednesday for Boston, drank tea at Mr. Mardens found them well, went
to New Bedford in the evening about eight, Lydia left there at seven
to go on board the Tremont. Capt. Emory for Bangor, Mr. Mardens son
went with me to Mr. P.s we found Lydia was gone, he started for the
vessel, she
had loosed from the wharf waiting for one of their hands he engaged
my passage found a couch called for me, went to Mr. Marden, took
my baggage bid them good night and went on board at bells ringing
for nine, with a company of thirty four passengers and very
good accommodations, we were under sail with fair wind and
good weather in a few minutes after I went on board, but did not
enjoy any thing for twenty one hours, was unable to leave my birth,
till we were in still water. I went on deck where we hailed the sight
of land
the vessel anchored nine miles from Bangor when a steam boat
came up and towed her in, when in thirty four hours from Boston
we were safely landed in Bangor. I left Portsmouth Wednesday morning
at eight, Friday morning at half past eight I was in Stephens house.
Heaven has answered your prayers, in bringing me safe here, everything
has
ben prosperous, I, thank the Father of mercies for every favour he
has
bestowed. My Dear Son, may the richest of Blessings attend you and
your
intended for life, you have my daily and fervent prayers for your best
welfare and happiness. Heaven will smile upon you in obeying its
precepts to your mother, in love, and honor, which you have confirmed
upon her, which you receive my gratitude, you may raise your affections
to him
who orders all events that you have his approbation, “a willing mind
is accepted,” in all your kindness and good wishes for your ever dear
mother.
“He that goeth forth bearing precious seed shall return bringing his
sheaves
with him,” in this is love and joy that I cannot express, that I have
gained
a Son it is from the principle of love grace is renewed and we are
sanctified
don’t let the world beguile you of a blessing he that honoreth his
mother
honoreth God, who knows the thoughts of all hearts and will bestow
the choicest blessings on them who keep his commands for in “keeping
them there is great rewards.” Though absent and far distant from you
my affections are the same and am happy to have a dear Son with
whom I can hold converse by writing and whoe feelings are recepical
and
ardently hope to realize the time when I shall greet and be greeted
by my Dear
children and find you happy in a wedded life. The prospect is pleasing
with one who is affable in her deportment and amiable in all her accom-
plishments and virtue to render the union agreeable, one that I highly
esteem.
Lydia was very happy to find husband and little ones well and they
as happy as could be to see their mother, the little son is a fine
healthy
child. Bangor, that was twenty seven, or eight years since was a lonely
place with a few solitary inhabitants has now almost the appearance
of
a city. There are new buildings all around. You know this situation
com-
mands a great prospect of the town, the new building that have been
put up this season are more than we can number. They are in every direction
we can see. A large seminary is building near here, the corner stone
was laid the day we arrived. I expected an opportunity to send this
by
the way of Exeter, your Aunt Elizabeth is here on a visit when I came
she expected to return in a week or two, her friends has prevailed
on her to
make her visit a few weeks longer, when she goes to Exeter I shall
write to you and as many letter as I can find time. To my other children
I find things as described the children as pretty as I expected and
Lydia
a very good wife, with good government, every thing pleasant and
agreeable. I expect you have some news for me by this time, I feel
anxious to know how you all do. Write me all the news you think will
be
interesting. Give my love to Mark, and Hannah, to Eleanor if she
is in Lowell. My health has been very poor all the spring, felt
unable to perform my journey when I set out, sea sickness and a (paper
is ripped off)
helped to improve it, and feel quite well. The weather is
warm last week, this situation is airy and pleasant every thing is
beautiful around us. Stephen and Lydia remember their
love to you & Dorcas to Mar, and Hannah, and all enquiring friends.

I regret it is so ordered I can not go in your festival,
my heart
will be there, with love to your self and Dorcas, breathing this prayer,
may you be happy, may you be Blest and the smile of Heaven rest
upon you. From your affectionate mother,